Friday, October 19, 2007

West Ham's Walking Wounded

Alan Curbishley has given an update on some of the injuries West Ham players are carrying in the run up to the Sunderland game,

"Henri Camara has trained this week so there's a chance he'll be fit. Freddie Ljungberg came off in the warm-up for Sweden, so we'll have to assess him today.

"Craig Bellamy came through his games for Wales and he's full of beans. He's had a similar operation to Michael Owen and a similar comeback. We're looking forward to welcoming him back. The Reading game, where we last really saw him, seems a long time ago."

Curbishley also explained his decision to leave Mark Noble out of the West Ham team that faced Villa,

"I left Mark Noble out up at Villa," he said. "He's had an amazing 20 games, the last ten of last season and he played through the summer for the Under-21s. I just felt I should give him a break at Villa.

"He's only 20 and I explained to him that being left out isn't fatal. He's stormed back this week and done great for the Under-21s. I was at a supporters' do last night and they were saying he's the highest shirt seller at the club. He's homegrown and the fans have a great affinity with him.

He displays all the qualities the fans want to see. He was one of the players that really gave us the impetus to get out of trouble last season and there is plenty more to come from him."